BOCA RATON – The State has allocated appropriations funding of more than $7 million for vital projects in the City of Boca Raton, the Town of Highland Beach, local projects for mental health, children and seniors, and the fragile ecosystem of Lake Worth Lagoon and Bonefish Cove located in the Intracoastal Waterway. The funds were filed by first-year State Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman as part of the State Budget approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. DeSantis last Thursday.
Boca Raton
Boca Raton will receive $2.7 million from the State, one of the highest tax-free appropriation ever from the State. Residents and visitors in Boca Raton will have relief from flooded roadways, with $1 million funded to repair NW/SW 4th Avenue Roadway Widening project which includes improvements to drainage. Another $300,000 is earmarked for NW 35th Street drainage improvements, a well-travelled area near the El Rio Canal, FAU and Palm Beach State College. The city projects have additional local funds.
“The State committed to assisting municipalities with infrastructure, traffic and water issues, and these project meets all three of those concerns,” said Gossett-Seidman, a 31-year resident of the area and former Town Commissioner in Highland Beach. “One of the top issues I hear from residents are crowded and rain-drenched roads, and this is one way to assist city officials with their efforts. We will go back next year and seek funds to tackle additional roadways and other concerns worthy of state assistance as needed.”
The Boca Raton Drinking Water facility received $1.4 million to facilitate improvements in equipment and transmission to the city’s 95,000-plus residents and businesses. The project puts the city ahead of many other municipalities in the state. With aging infrastructure and weather conditions sometimes perilous, it is imperative that city utilities repair and maintain their facilities to keep operational and not impede service under any conditions, and Boca Raton under the guidance of its Council and management is doing just that.
Highland Beach
The $250,000 for lift stations resiliency is the first appropriation Highland Beach has ever received in its 74 years. It will allow the town to continue elevating and rebuilding the lift stations and wastewater pipes to levels safely above sea level and with updated construction and resiliency. The town commenced the project and offers matching funds. The project along A1A will ensure continuation of wastewater transmission even in the face of hurricanes, erosion of soil underneath or other possible negative impacts.
Lake Worth Lagoon and Bonefish Cove
The $2.8 million State Funding for the Lake Worth Lagoon and Bonefish Cove will improve water quality throughout Palm Beach County for boaters, fishermen, water sports, nature lovers and, most importantly, our sea life. The amount funded was increased by the Legislature Leadership by $1.2 million from the original ask of $1.6 million due to it being a state priority.
This funding will improve water quality through enhanced monitoring by environmental and water officials and follow-up mitigation for pollutants. The continued prospering of healthy sea grass, mangroves and artificial reefs is aided by removing muck and debris from the lagoon bottom and shorelines.
The project, begun years ago, enhances the habitat for manatees, sea turtles, fish, oyster beds, and other indigenous sea life so they may coexist in a healthy lagoon. This provides enjoyment of nature to our residents and ensures the lagoon will continue to thrive. The vital ecosystem is important because it is part of the Intracoastal Waterway, connected to the Atlantic Ocean through ports and to Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades through canals and locks.
Officials in Palm Beach County will be able to improve and manage our portion of the complex waterway ecosystem, working with cooperation by SFWMD and other agencies. People may view the lagoon and the ongoing work from their watercraft or from the ICW shoreline parks and boardwalk.
County Commissioner Marci Woodward, whose District 4 includes much of the area served by these funds, said, “I hope our shared constituents are as happy as I am with her efforts in Tallahassee. The amount of appropriations she is bringing back to us is exactly why we elected her. Thank you, Representative Gossett-Seidman, and I’m looking forward to many more sessions.”
Nonprofits and Services:
Two mental health services located in Boca Raton were marked for funds. The Hab Center was marked for two appropriations totaling $375,000 and the Faulk Center received $250,000.
A unique need in the area was noted when Caregiving Youth approached the office seeking assistance. Its program aids children under-18, who serve in the parenting role for younger siblings, whose parents may be absent from their lives due to working multiple jobs, working out of area, incarceration, or a number of other reasons. Gossett-Seidman ran the appropriation request and it was fulfilled in totality, so these young people can be assisted in keeping their families solvent and healthy.
Finally, the Deerfield Beach Alzheimer’s Center was awarded $286,705 in state funds. It serves many patients and their families from Deerfield, Boca Raton and surrounding areas at a times of housing shortages for these patients.
Rep. Gossett-Seidman continues to work and identify needs in the community, especially those identified last year that concern residents: traffic and flooding, environmental and clean water and beach issues, seniors, families and children’s needs, HOA and insurance concerns, and safety and security. She served on eight Committees leading into session: Water Quality, Supply and Treatment; Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Children, Family and Seniors; Energy, Communications and Cybersecurity Subcommittee; Regulatory Reform and Economic Development, and Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.
She filed eight bills in this session, including two clean water initiative bills, with four passing into law, one on the Governor’s table and three others requiring state-wide research and being brought back. She continues to work and identify needs in the community to serve her constituents when returning to Tallahassee in the fall.
For further information, please contact the offices of State Rep Peggy Gossett-Seidman
Boca Raton Office 561-750-2396
Tallahassee Office 850-717-5091
State Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman 561-271-5050
Rep. Gossett-Seidman’s State-Appropriations signed into State Budget:
City of Boca Raton – NW/SW 4th Avenue Roadway Widening
Amount Received: $1,000,000
Matching Funds: $25,000,000
Line Item: 2042A
House & Senate Form: HF209, SF1076
Boca Raton NW 35th St. Drainage Improvement Project
Amount Received: $300,000
Matching Funds: $500,000
Line Item: 1705A
House & Senate Form: HF0954, SF1129
Boca Raton Drinking Water Transmission and Distribution Improvements
Amount Received: $1,400,000
Matching Funds: $12,882,399
Line Item: 1705A
House & Senate Form: HF0955, SF1265
Highland Beach Climate Vulnerability and Clean Water Project – Lift Stations Rehabilitation
Amount Received: $250,000
Matching Funds: $275,000
Line Item: 1705A
House & Senate Form: HF1867, SF1454
Palm Beach County – Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative
Amount Received: $2,361,804
Matching Funds: $261,804
Line Item: 1705A
House & Senate Form: HF1576, SF1096
Bonefish Cove Environmental Enhancement Project
Amount Received: $500,000
Matching Funds: $3,044,750
Line Item: 1705A
House & Senate Form: HF1573
HabCenter Programs in Education, Art and Recreation
Amount Received: $175,000
Matching Funds: none available
Line Item: 243A
House & Senate Form: HF502, SF1525
Faulk Center for Counseling – Mental Health Counseling
Amount Received: $250,000
Matching Funds: $15,000
Line Item: 378
House & Senate Form: HF78, SF1014
HabCenter Supported Employment Program
Amount Received: $200,000
Matching Funds: none available
Line Item: 2297 & 2304A
House & Senate Form: HF 0239, SF 1310
Florida Caregiving Youth – At Risk Student Services
Amount Received: 318,600
Matching Funds: none available
Line Item: 100 & 105
House & Senate Form: HF1967, SF1615
City of Deerfield Beach – Alzheimer’s Day Care and Senior Transportation Services
Amount Received: $286,705
Matching Funds: $ 909,307
Line Item: 401
House & Senate Form: HF1166, SF1469
Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman
Florida House of Representatives (District 91)